POTENSI CADANGAN KARBON, SERAPAN KARBON, DAN PELEPASAN OKSIGEN VEGETASI HUTAN KOTA DI KABUPATEN GARUT, JAWA BARAT

Abstract

Urban green open spaces play a crucial role in mitigating climate change through carbon storage, carbon sequestration, and oxygen release. This study aimed to assess the potential carbon stocks and ecosystem services provided by vegetation in six urban forests in Garut Regency, West Java, namely Guntur, Kerkof, Padir, Kubang, Pasir Muncang, and Simpang Copong. Data were collected using a non-destructive census method for trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥5 cm, combined with 0.5 m × 0.5 m quadrat sampling for understory vegetation. The results showed that the six urban forests in Garut Regency differed in area, tree species composition, and stand structure. The number of trees ranged from 11 to 41 individuals, with carbon stocks ranging from 10.94 to 57.98 tonnes, carbon sequestration from 40.11 to 212.59 tonnes, and oxygen release from 29.17 to 154.61 tonnes. Simpang Copong and Kerkof urban forests had the highest potential carbon stocks, whereas Guntur and Kubang had the lowest. Understory vegetation also contributed to carbon stocks, although it was recorded at only three of the six study sites, namely Padir, Kubang, and Simpang Copong. The potential carbon stocks of understory vegetation ranged from 2.56 to 2.93 tonnes, with carbon sequestration ranging from 9.39 to 10.74 tonnes and oxygen release ranging from 6.83 to 7.81 tonnes. These findings demonstrate that urban forest vegetation in Garut Regency provides significant ecosystem services by contributing to urban carbon balance and air-quality regulation. The results provide a scientific basis for improving the management of urban green open spaces, particularly through the conservation and maintenance of vegetation with high carbon-storage capacity.

 Keywords: carbon stock; carbon sequestration; urban forest; urban green open space; understory vegetation.